‘Do what?’ he asks as he stops pacing and turns to face me.
‘Go to the top.’
‘But I want to go to the top. Why would you think I didn’t?’
‘Because you’re acting distant and weird.’ There’s no point in lying.
‘Am I?’ he asks. His eyes lock with mine as he exhales a large breath. Quickly closing the distance between us, he wraps me in his arms. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t realise it was so obvious.’ Like that statement is going to ease my mind. Not. It doesn’t explain a damn thing.
Brock reaches for my hand and laces our fingers together when the lift arrives at the top of the tower. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.
Even though the lift we travelled in was glass, I didn’t get a chance to admire the view on the journey up since I was preoccupied by Brock’s mood swing. So, the moment we step onto the landing, I gasp. It’s breathtaking. ‘Wow.’
Heading straight for the edge, I let go of Brock’s hand and my fingers curve around the wire cage. I take a few minutes to absorb the view before turning my attention back to him. He’s standing beside me, hands in his pockets, but instead of looking at what’s before us, he’s staring at me.
‘I love you,’ he says as he smiles.
‘I love you too,’ I reply, slipping my arms around his waist. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’
Raising his hand, he tenderly strokes my face. ‘I’m with you, so I’m perfect.’
His sweet words fill me with joy. Yay! My Brock is back.
He briefly places his lips against mine, before taking a step backwards. Digging his fingers into his pocket, he pulls out another small fold of tissue paper. ‘Another memory for your locket,’ he says, placing it in my palm. ‘I hope you like it.’
He already gave me the Eiffel Tower charm at dinner, so I can’t imagine what this one will be. Maybe it’s something to symbolise our next journey. Carefully unwrapping the paper, my eyes widen and my mouth gapes when I see what’s inside. It’s a ring. A teeny-tiny ring charm with a stone set into the top. Is it? Could it be? I’m scared to ask in case I’m wrong.
The moment Brock gets down on one knee before me I know I’m right. Oh. My. God. My heart starts to beat out of my chest as tears fill my eyes.
‘Jade,’ he says, reaching for my hand and clearing his throat. I can feel his fingers slightly trembling as they wrap around mine. Now I know why he’s been acting so weird.
There’s people all around us, but I don’t care. I want to hear him say it. I want to hear the words that I never thought I’d hear.
‘From the moment you crashed into me at the airport and gave me a big chocolatey grin, you’ve captivated my heart.’ I feel my face flush at the mention of the chocolate on my teeth. ‘The more I got to know you, the more I realised that you were it—the part that’s been missing from my life. You complete me, sweetheart, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. You make me happier than I thought I could ever be. I don’t want to ever lose that feeling, and what we share. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife, so I can make you mine forever?’
I don’t even need to think about this. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with. ‘Yes,’ I blurt out, pulling him to his feet and leaping into his arms. ‘Yes … yes … yes,’ I repeat as I rain tiny kisses all over his face. Tears of joy cascade down my cheeks.
‘Thank fuck you said yes,’ he says into the crook of my neck as his arms tighten around me. ‘I was worried you were going to turn me down.’
Is he kidding? Why wouldn’t I want to marry him? He’s the man of my dreams, and has so much to offer. I on the other hand, am just me. Plain old Jade Davis, the orphan—the kid nobody wanted—the hooker. The person who, until he came along, was sure she was unlovable. He could have anyone he wanted, but thankfully he wants me.
I feel like I’m floating when we arrive back at the hotel. I want to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. After Brock produced the engagement ring from his pocket and slid it on my finger and we received a round of applause from the onlookers, we headed back down to watch the incredible light show. The Eiffel Tower on its own is a magnificent structure, but when it’s lit up—no words can describe how beautiful it looks. There’s something magical about this place, but I never felt it until I came here with Brock.
When we enter our room, there’s another surprise awaiting me. Brock organised for the hotel staff to line our bedroom with candles. There’s a bottle of champagne sitting on ice beside the bed, and red rose petals sprinkled all over the white bedsheets.